Workers rally worldwide on May Day

Monday, May 02, 2011 - 01:58

May 2 - Rallies erupt the world over on May Day, as workers demonstrate for their rights. Travis Brecher reports.

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Rallies erupt across the world on May Day.
Following a wave of popular protests that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak, Egyptians again filled the iconic Tahrir Square -- this time calling for better pay.
They're demanding that the minimum wage be lifted to 1,200 Egyptian pounds per month.
Across the Mediterranean, tens of thousands of Turkish workers throng to Istanbul's central Taksim square, singing and chanting slogans.
One protester says May Day -- or Labour Day -- is very important.
(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) BURAK ADAM, TURKISH DEMONSTATOR, SAYING:
"Labour day is the most important day around the world. This should be celebrated by everyone and it should be cared about and it should be understood by all people."
But in the capital Ankara things turned violent, as demonstrators clashed, and some even set U.S. flags ablaze.
On the other side of the world, thousands also turned out in China.
These workers in Macau say the government ignores its workers' needs.
(SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) NG SEK IO, VICE CHAIRMAN OF MACAU WORKERS CONFEDERATION, SAYING:
"The government has always been corrupt. We, as opposition parties, expressed our needs and livelihood issues but the government ignored us. This is obviously an overbearing government."
And in Hong Kong some 3,000 people took to the streets to protest high living costs and low salaries.
North Koreans also took the streets, with workers rallying across the nation.
In the deeply isolated country, these workers are marching in solidarity with labourers the world over.
Travis Brecher, Reuters

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